Over 400 women lawyers in Rwanda are seeking a ‘solidarity fund’ that could assist expectant women lawyers once they go on maternity leave.
The women are members of the Rwanda Bar Association which has so far registered over 1,600 members.
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"When lawyers are pregnant and go on maternity leave, they do not get clients and thus do not generate income. This affects our living conditions, and as a result, we do not get money to contribute to the lawyers’ association. There is a need for exemption from such contributions during maternity leave or setting up a scheme to help women lawyers in maternity leave,” said Marie Louise Mukashema, a lawyer.
Each member of the Rwanda Bar Association contributes an annual fee of Rwf700,000.
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Lawyer Emeline Nyambo, said she experienced the same situation, adding that there is a need for a scheme to support women lawyers in such situations.
"It becomes difficult for women lawyers on maternity leave to pay contributions when they do not generate any income. Courts should also be aware of such situations given that it happens that a woman lawyer goes for maternity leave and judges do not recognise this,” she said.
Lawyer Ghislaine Niyongira emphasised that as lawyers have no monthly salary, a small percentage should be deducted from lawyers’ contributions to their association so that it is spent on supporting women lawyers on maternity leave.
The views were also echoed by Delphine Uwanyirigira, a lawyer.
"Lawyers’ association should help design a strategy and scheme to support women lawyers on maternity leave. Women lawyers can set up a solidarity fund and get support from their association. They can also set up law firms,” she noted.
Lawyer Angèle Buzayire reiterated that there is a need for a savings scheme that could help women lawyers who are on maternity leave.
Rwf48 million could be raised annually
Moise Nkundabarashi, the president of the Rwanda Bar Association, told The New Times that the association will support a solidarity fund that is being pondered by 400 women lawyers.
"The number of women lawyers who are members of our association increased from seven to 400. They can set up a solidarity fund where each woman lawyer can contribute at least Rwf10,000 every month. Rwf48 million could be raised annually. In the next five years, that could be enough money, and the association can contribute between Rwf50 million and Rwf100 million to support the scheme depending on their vision,” he said.
He suggested that women lawyers work with the Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT) Iterambere Fund so that their savings generate more money every year.
"The savings can help women lawyers afford contributions to our association even when they are not working during their maternity leave,” Nkundabarashi noted.
He added that women lawyers are also providing free legal aid to needy women.
"This means that the solidarity fund can help do many activities in their profession.”